Improved presentation of multi-level mystery bonus awards

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, a system displays a winning one of multiple mystery bonus awards before identifying a winner of the winning award from among a plurality of players of base games. In another aspect, the system displays a winning one of multiple mystery bonus awards after identifying a winner of the winning award from among a plurality of players of base games.

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/903,959 filed Feb. 27, 2007 whose contents areincorporated herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel methods of presenting multi-levelmystery bonus awards on games of chance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Playing games of chance is a popular recreational activity. There aremany types of games of chance including table games where players wageragainst a live dealer such as blackjack, Pai Gow, roulette, Baccarat.Other types of games of chance are offered as automated machines.Examples include slots, poker, bingo, etc. Still other types of games ofchance allow players to wager against one another, such as a pokertable. In return for a wager, games of chance generate randomlydetermined outcomes, some of which result in a winning event. Games ofchance are often played with wagers having financial value but somegames of chance are played with points or other freely availablecurrency having no fiscal worth.

Games of chance may be played in casinos, or at home using electronicdevices or mechanical equipment. Gambling via Internet, whether for funor for money, is also a popular activity.

Games of chance typically associate a winning event with a specific gameoutcome. For example, achievement of BAR BAR BAR on the payline of athree reel slot machine might pay 20 credits on a 1 credit wager. Toincrease player interest, bonus awards which are won independently ofany single game outcome are sometimes offered. The “mystery” bonus is apopular bonus award that is so named because players cannot easilydiscern why the award occurred, as it is completely independent of thegame's normal schedule of payments.

Mystery bonuses are awarded as a function of game play and areincreasingly likely to be won with each game played. FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 b,and FIG. 2 are indicative of prior art mystery bonus award operation.Here the mystery award is a progressive amount because it grows in valueas a function of each wager made until it is won. Once won, the award isinitialized to a starting value and the process begins again. FIG 1 adepicts the initialization procedure which is executed once uponinception of the mystery award and executed again after each winningoccurrence of the mystery award.

A mystery progressive award is defined by a starting and ending(maximum) value. The award must be won before the award grows largerthan the maximum value. A winning number W is randomly selected fromwithin the range of all numbers between the starting and ending awardvalues. For example, a mystery progressive starts at $1,000.00 and endsat $5,000.00. A winning value W is chosen, at 110 of FIG. 1 a, from therange numbers between $1,000.00 and $5,000.00. In this example,W=$2,431.56. The progressive award value is set to the starting value ofthe award range 120—which is $1,000.00—and the bonus is ready for playas depicted in FIG 1 b.

The current award value—$1,000.00—is displayed to players 130 and then anew wager is awaited 140. When a wager occurs, the award value isincreased as a function of the wager size 150. A commonly usedembodiment adds a percentage of each wager amount to AWARD. For example,AWARD=$1,000.00, a wager of $3.00 is made, and FUNCTION is 3% of wagersize. AWARD now grows to $1,000.09, as 3% of $3 is 9 cents ($0.09).AWARD is then tested against W at step 160. Since $1,000.09 is less than$2,431.56, the test fails and the flow chart returns to step 130.

This process continues until cumulative play brings AWARD=$2,431.56,making comparison 160 true and the flow chart passes to step 170 wherethe winner is identified. The winner in this case is the person whosewager caused AWARD to grow equal to W. The winner is then paid theamount won, $2,431.56 at step 180, after which the mystery award isagain initialized 190, which simply executes the steps of FIG. 1 aagain, and the process repeats.

A fixed award mystery bonus works exactly like the progressive mysterybonus award just described, except at step 180, the winner is paid thefixed amount—100 credits for example—instead of the incremented AWARDamount.

FIG. 2 is a prior art four-level progressive mystery bonus display.Enclosure 200 houses the displays and may be configured as an overheadsign, built into the gaming machine, or both. Each display, 210, 220,230 and 240, represents one progressive mystery bonus award and eachgrows as a function of wagers made in any gaming machine linked to theseawards. Each of the four award values has a winning number W chosen forit during initialization and each award is won independently of theothers.

The range for each progressive award 250, 260, 270, and 280 are madeknown to players so they may understand that, as each progressive awardgrows, it is more likely to be won.

When one of the mystery awards is won, the winning display immediatelybegins to alternate every few seconds between the progressive bonusamount won and the winning machine identifier. After the award amount ispaid to the winner, either automatically as credits placed on thewinning machine or as a manual payment of cash or check directly to theplayer, the won mystery progressive award is reset to its starting valueand again grows as wagers are made in the associated games of chance.

In another embodiment of the prior art, a light or other indicator isplaced on, or near each machine in the link. When a win occurs, thewinning machine indicator is activated, and remains active, until theaward is paid. Because there are so many numbers, multi-level mysteryprogressives are confusing to many players and this limits their appeal.While the growing award amount, and the corresponding increasedlikelihood that a win will occur, creates drama and therefore enhancesentertainment value to the player, the win occurrence itself isanticlimactic to everyone but the winner because the amount won is knownthe instant the win occurs.

Effectiveness of multi-level mystery bonus awards is limited by theconfusion of displaying multiple bonus award values and player enjoymentwould increase if such displays are simplified.

Players would enjoy a heightened sense of entertainment if they knowthat an award is won before the winner identity and bonus amount won arerevealed.

In mystery bonus awards that are a function of wagers made, it would beuseful to illustrate that larger wagers have a greater likelihood ofwinning.

In mystery bonus awards, it would heighten player enjoyment to have anindication of how close the next mystery award is to being won.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a device and method which improves the player appeal ofmystery bonus awards. Specifically, my invention provides a method ofconducting a game of chance displaying a plurality of mystery bonusaward values, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying each of theplurality of mystery bonus award values to a player; (b) making a wagerto initiate play of the game; (c) determining that a mystery bonus awardhas been won; (d) upon the occurrence of a win, displaying to a playerthat a win has occurred; (e) executing an indication process wherein atleast two of the plurality of mystery bonus awards are indicated to aplayer in a sequence, with less than all mystery bonus awards indicatedat any one time; (f) ending the indication process with the winningmystery bonus award indicated to a player; and (g) paying the indicatedmystery bonus award to a player. My invention is also directed toproviding an indication of proximity of a win, of wager size, and tosequences of revealing win occurrence, win amount and winneridentification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a prior art flow chart for initializing a progressivemystery bonus award.

FIG. 1 b is a flow chart for implementing a progressive mystery bonusaward.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art four-level progressive mystery awarddisplay.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a four-level progressive mystery award using avideo-based wheel indicator according to my invention

FIG. 5 illustrates an eight-level fixed-award mystery award using avideo based wheel indicator, winner identifier and win indicatoraccording to my invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a 22-level fixed award mystery award using amechanical wheel indicator with illuminated indications of proximity tothe next mystery award win, and illuminated indicator of wager sizeaccording to my invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a 16-level fixed-award mystery award with anadditional progressive mystery award which includes illuminators toindicate proximity to next award occurrence according to my invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of gaming machines and display deviceconnected to a mystery award controller according to my invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a video subsystem used as a displaydevice according to my invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a motorized wheel, mystery awardproximity indicator and wager size indicator used as a display deviceaccording to my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Though my invention is equally useful with table games and gamingmachines, the following discussion describes its use with gamingmachines only. I do this solely for clarity of explanation as the mannerof operation on any game of chance—table game or gaming machine—is verysimilar and my claims regarding this invention should in no way belimited by this clarification. My invention is also useful in Internetgambling and computer games that simulate wagering.

I define “mystery bonus” as a system that selects awards as a functionof game play events, excluding specific individual game outcomes. Mydefinition of a mystery bonus does not include an award that is paidsimply because a single gaming machine outcome resulted in a specificresult, such as BAR BAR BAR on a three reel slot machine, as that is anormal jackpot occurrence. A mystery bonus could be, however, paid onthe 11^(th) occurrence of BAR BAR BAR. It will be appreciated by one ofskill in the art that there are many methods and techniques fordetermining when a mystery award occurs. Although I may choose todescribe a particular embodiment while teaching how my inventionfunctions, I do not limit the claims of my invention to only thatembodiment.

In addition, the winner does not have to be the person whose game playcaused the winning condition to be met. The award could be paid to thetenth person that makes a wager after the win occurs, the person thatplaced the wager prior to the wager that met the winning condition, etc.One of ordinary skill will recognize that many such variations arepossible and may be used with my invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting my invention and represents a processfor a four-level mystery jackpot award. As one of skill in the art willreadily understand, each of the four mystery awards must be processedindependently. FIG. 3 shows the logical flow of the award process so asto emphasize the unique attributes of my invention. Moreover, while theprocess shown describes a progressive mystery bonus award; the conceptsof my invention apply equally to fixed value mystery awards.

Each of the four AWARD values are displayed 310 and then a new wager isawaited 320. When a wager occurs, the amount of each of the four jackpotaward amounts are increased as a function of wager amount 330, afterwhich each AWARD amount is tested against the value W already chosen forthat AWARD level 340. If no AWARD amount has grown to at least equal itsassociated value of W, the process returns to step 310 and displaysupdated AWARD values.

After one of the AWARD values has grown sufficiently, players are madeaware of the win occurrence 350. Next an indication process 360 isexecuted in which at least two of the four award values are indicated toplayers in a sequence. In a preferred embodiment of my invention, lessthan all of the award values are indicated at any one time. When theindication process ends 370, the award value that was won remainsindicated, letting players know the amount won. The indicated award isthen paid to the winning player 380, after which the award won isre-initialized 390 and the process repeated.

Multi-Segmented Bonus Wheels

FIG. 4 represents a display which is useful for implementing the stepsjust described. A video display 400 displays a wheel 410. Each wheelsegment 420 holds one of the four progressive bonus award values 430.During normal play, the wheel is stationary. After a win occurs at 350of FIG. 3, win Indicator 450 illuminates to inform players of the winoccurrence. Next, wheel 410 begins to spin. Each award amount isindicated in turn as it rotates into alignment beneath pointer 440. Thewheel then slows and finally stops, indicating the award won by stoppingwith that amount directly beneath pointer 440. In a preferredembodiment, corresponding sound effects accompany the win occurrence,wheel spin and celebration sequence after the wheel stops.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, the winner identity is notdisclosed until a time period after the amount won is made known.Referring again to FIG. 4, winner identifier 460 delays disclosure ofthe winner identity until several seconds after wheel 420 comes to restand the amount won is known.

In an alternative embodiment, the winner is identified before thewinning amount is made known. In yet another embodiment, the winneridentity and bonus amount won are identified simultaneously.

Win Proximity Indicator

FIG. 5 is a video display of a wheel 510 which is divided into 8segments 520, each containing a fixed award amount 530. Win proximityindicator 550—which in this embodiment is shaped like athermometer—informs players of the proximity of the next mystery bonusaward, as well as announcing each winning event. Upon initiation, thethermometer is set very low, indicating a winning event is not imminent.As wagers are made, the thermometer rises, indicating a winning event isgrowing closer. When a winning event occurs on any of the eight mysterybonus awards, the thermometer rises fully to the top and begins toflash, alerting players that a win occurred. After a period of timewheel 510 spins and stops, positioning the winning value beneath pointer540. Winner identifier 560 identifies the winner and award payment iscompleted.

The purpose of win proximity indicator 550 is to show, in a non-numericway, that a mystery win is growing closer with each wager. In oneembodiment, the thermometer is lit in proportion to how much progresshas been made toward the next winning event. Suppose a winning number Wis selected from a range of 1 to 1,000 and a counter C, is increased byone count for each unit of wager made. That is, the counter is increasedby 3 for each 3 credit wager made, 2 for each 2 credit wager made, etc.Now presume that, upon initialization C=0 and W=400, causing winproximity indicator 550 to indicate its lowest value because the win isfar from occurring.

As wagers are made, C grows and win proximity indicator 550 rises inproportion to the percentage of progress C has made from its startingpoint to reaching the value of W. For example, after 100 credits arewagered, C=100 and is 25% of the way to a win. At this point the winproximity indicator has risen about 25% of the way to the top. Winproximity indicator height is recalculated after each wager, therebyproviding players with a real sense of how quickly the next mysterybonus award will next occur.

FIG. 5 indicates 8 different fixed-value mystery awards. Win proximityindicator 550 always represents progress toward the nearest winningoccurrence. When that award is accomplished, the win proximity indicatoris reset to indicate the next nearest win occurrence. Therefore winproximity indicator 550 will rarely indicate its lowest value becausewhen one win occurs, another win has also grown towards its winningvalue. This technique gives powerful incentive for players to continueto play and chase the next available mystery bonus award.

In another embodiment win proximity indicator 550 indicates progresstoward the maximum theoretical value of W. In the above example, thelargest value W could be is 1,000. When C=100 win proximity indicator550 displays as 10% toward the top since 100/1000=10%.

Those of skill in the art will recognize these as just two algorithmsfor using a win indicator to represent progress toward a mystery win andthat many other algorithms are possible.

Audio signals may be used to augment or replace the function of the winproximity indicator, the winner identifier, or both. For example, winneridentity is announced using a live or recorded voice, and win proximityindicator functions are performed as a changing pitch, timbre or contentof sound. One of skill in the art recognizes there are many othermechanisms by which to electronically, mechanically orelectromechanically indicate the functions of the win amount, winproximity, win occurrence indicator and winner identity. All suchmethods are useful with my invention.

Mechanical Bonus Displays & Alternative Win Proximity Indicator

FIG. 6 depicts a mechanical wheel embodiment of my invention implementedusing a Bally CineVision gaming machine 600. Mechanical wheel 630includes 22 segments, each containing a fixed mystery bonus award.Pointer 610 indicates the winning amount. Win proximity indicator 620 isa crown of crystals. Each crystal of the crown is equipped with amulti-color illumination source. When the game is initialized, the crownis colored an icy-blue, indicating an award is not imminent. The crownillumination turns from icy-blue to reddish to bright red as a mysterywin grows closer and closer. When a win is struck, the crown turns redand flashes, indicating a win occurred. Those of skill in the art willrecognize that other color and brightness patterns may be utilized torepresent the nearness of a mystery win and that win proximity indicator620, though different in visual appearance, performs the same functionas thermometer shaped win proximity indicator 550 of FIG. 5 and isadaptable to the same functional embodiments.

Once a win occurs, wheel activation button 640 illuminates. When theplayer presses the button, wheel 630 spins, slows and ultimately stopsin such a position that the won mystery bonus amount is positioneddirectly beneath pointer 610.

Although the wheel depicted in FIG. 6 contains only fixed value mysteryawards, one of skill in the art readily understands that some, or all,of the fixed award values could be replaced with progressive awardamounts. One skilled in the art will further understand that wheelactivation button 640 could be eliminated and wheel 630 automaticallyspun, either immediately upon a win being struck or after a time delay.In an alternative embodiment, wheel 630 could spin after a win occursand wheel activation button 640 is pressed or a predefined period oftime has passed, whichever occurs first.

While the examples of my invention that I presented above describe awheel rotating beneath a fixed pointer, one of skill in the art willreadily understand that other methods of indicating a winning amount ona wheel are possible. For example, the wheel could remain stationarywhile the pointer revolves around it, much like a roulette ball rotatesaround a roulette table. The amount indicated on the wheel segment thatis aligned with the pointer when it comes to rest is the amount won.

Alternately, the wheel and the pointer could simultaneously rotate,either in the same direction or opposite directions. The amountindicated on the wheel segment that is aligned with the pointer whenboth wheel and pointer come to rest is the amount won.

When a fixed pointer is used, it need not be at the top of the wheel butcould be located anywhere around the circumference of the wheel. Inanother embodiment, a player is allowed to choose one pointer from aplurality of pointers. After pointer selection is made, the wheel isspun. The award amount that is aligned with the chosen pointer when thewheel stops is the amount won.

One of ordinary skill will readily see that my invention is useful withany of the above mentioned methods of displaying award amounts on awheel. For example multiple pointers can be active simultaneously andthe award indicated when the wheel and pointers come to rest are theamounts won. The player may win the highest value indicated by theplurality of pointers, or the player is paid the sum of all valuesindicated by all active pointers.

As an alternative to mechanical wheels or video depictions of wheels,the image of a segmented wheel can be backlit with one illuminator foreach wheel segment. Such implementations are known in the art as lightwheels. The illuminators are lit, one at a time, in sequence, tosimulate rotation. Whichever segment is lit when the sequence comes to ahalt is the amount won. These are but two of many other methods ofillumination which can be utilized with my invention.

Wager Size Indicator

Turning again to FIG. 6, wager size indicator 650 is constructed of anumber of illuminators arranged in the shape of an arrow on the rightand left sides of wheel activation button 640. Each time a wager ismade, these illuminators flash from the base of the arrow towards button640. The brightness and duration of the flash is proportional to wagersize. Gaming machine 600 is a three credit game, that is, players maywager one, two or three credits per game played. If three credits arewagered, illuminators 650 flash brighter and remain lit longer than iftwo credits are wagered. And a two credit wager causes an illuminationflash that is brighter and longer-lasting that a single credit wager.

One of skill in the art understands that the shape in which theilluminators are arranged, the quantity of illuminators used and thecolor and brightness with which they indicate wager size and nearness toa mystery win can be varied according to need, so long as it isdemonstrated to players that larger wagers are more likely to win amystery bonus award than smaller wagers. Alternatively, in FIG. 6, audiocues (not shown) may be used to supplement or replace visual indicators.

Alternative Bonus Displays

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate display configuration embodiment of myinvention. Overhead display 700 contains sixteen separate fixed mysteryaward indicators 710 and one mystery progressive award indicator 720which surround progressive award display 730. Each of the sixteen fixedmystery award indicators 710 and the one mystery progressive indicator720 is backlit by an illuminator and each is associated with its ownrandomly selected winning number W and counter which is incremented as afunction of credits wagered. Until one of the seventeen mystery awardsis won, all of the illuminators behind the seventeen award indicatorsare turned off.

The set of award displays is surrounded by a win proximity indicatorimplemented as individual illuminators 740. At initiation, allilluminators 740 are off. As play ensues and a win on any of theseventeen awards grows closer, illuminators 740 are lit one at a time,starting at the first illuminator located clockwise of the 12 o'clockposition. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the first threeilluminators 750 are lit. Because each counter and each associated luckynumber W is known within the system, it is straightforward to calculatehow many wagers remain before a win occurs.

As any win grows closer, a proportionate number of illuminators 740 arelit in clockwise sequence. The illumination sequence is conducted sothat the very last illuminator 740, which is at the 12 O'clock position,is lit when a win occurs. At this time all illuminators 740 are lit,completely encircling the array of seventeen award displays. When thishappens, the illuminators behind each award display 710 and 720 are lit,one at a time. After one of the award displays is lit for a brief time,it extinguishes, and another of the award illuminators 710 or 720 islit. Each illuminator is lit in a pattern so that all illuminators arelit once in each sequence which then repeats. Over the period of a fewseconds, the sequencing speed slows until only the award display thatwas won remains illuminated and that amount is awarded to the winningplayer.

Means of Implementation

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, I now describe various means of configuringmy invention. FIG. 8 depicts a schematic representation of a linkedimplementation of my invention. Controller 830 is configured by means ofconfiguration computer 840 with the number of mystery awards, the sizeof each, the rate of increment for each wager, and the range from whichwinning numbers are to be randomly selected, amongst other parameters.One of skill in the art will recognize that configuration techniques formystery award controllers are well known and all such configurationmeans may be used with this invention.

Three gaming machines 820 are shown, though any number may be used,including a single machine. Each is connected to controller 830 throughconnection 825. In a preferred embodiment, this connection is a two-wayserial protocol capable of allowing the controller 830 to receiveinformation about game play, including wagers made from each gamingmachine and also to send payout messages to each gaming machine forpayment when a mystery award is won on that gaming machine. Examples ofsuch two-way protocols include the well-known existing industry standardSAS protocol and the industry standard protocol in development by theGaming Standards Association.

In yet another embodiment, connection 825 is a one-way transfer ofinformation from each gaming machine 820 to controller 830. Suchconnections are less preferable because automated award payments are notsupported.

Gaming machine designs sometimes utilize Ethernet, USB or other suchhigh-speed network connections which offer the advantage ofhigh-bandwidth and are useful for carrying information for many purposesfrom gaming machines to many kinds of controllers and database systems.These connections are being adapted for other casino functions such asplayer tracking, casino accounting and security. One of skill in the artwill appreciate that such high-bandwidth connections are useful with myinvention whether they are used exclusively for the purpose oftransferring mystery award information or if the connection serves avariety of other purposes as well.

Connection 825 may also be implemented via wireless protocol such asBluetooth, Zigbee, wireless Ethernet or other protocol whether based onradio frequency (RF), infrared or other technologies.

Connection 835 transfers information between controller 830 and display810. This connection may be of a wide range of electrical protocols suchas RS-232 or it may utilize more recent protocols that specifyelectrical, connector, cabling and information communication structuresuch as Ethernet or USB. One of skill in the art will appreciate that awide variety of standard and proprietary connector, cable, electricaland information structure protocols may be used with this invention,including wireless protocols.

The transfer protocol for connection 835 may be one-way from controller830 to display 810, or more preferably, two-way, with informationflowing from controller 830 to display 810 and from display 810 tocontroller 830.

Although a single display is shown, multiple displays may be used andthe displays may be mounted over or near a bank of gaming machines, onindividual gaming machines or as remote displays away from the gamingmachines to which they are associated.

Once controller 830 is configured and connected, wagering informationfrom each gaming machine 820 is transmitted to the controller viaconnection 825 where it is used to increment the counter(s) which arethen compared against the list of Winning values W. If the configurationincludes progressive mystery awards, the updated award values aretransmitted to the display 810 via connection 835 for presentation toplayers. Information for winner identification, win proximity, wagersize and win occurrence are also sent from controller 830 to display810.

When connection 835 allows two-way communication, display 810 returnsinformation back to controller 830, including acknowledgement that eachmessage sent from the controller was received, diagnostic informationthat the display is functioning properly and other such housekeeping andaward information.

Display 810 may be a video display and preferably includes a processorfor rendering the required images and updating the image withinformation received from controller 830. Any type of video display isuseful including LCD, Plasma, rear-projection DLP, CRT, LED, VFD or anyother technology capable of rendering the desired image for presentinginformation to players about award values, win occurrences, wager sizes,win proximity, etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates video display 910 connected to computer subsystem 920via connection 915. The video display 910 is preferably a flat paneldisplay using LCD or plasma technology as such displays are economical,widely available, long-lived and require little physical space. Ofcourse, any other video display technology may be used.

The computer subsystem 920 is preferably a personal computer runningMicrosoft Windows, Linux, or Apple's OS X, though other operatingsystems may be desirable in certain situations. The computer subsystemmay render the image using Macromedia's FLASH programming methodology orit may use alternative application software for rendering. As virtuallyall computers do, computer subsystem 820 includes a case, power supply,main processor such as an Intel Pentium, a graphics coprocessor, orseparate processing card such as an ASUS EN7600GT video interface fordriving the video display, standard memory such as DRAM, non-volatilememory such as a hard disk and/or CD_ROM, DVD player, flash memory,battery backed RAM or some combination therein. The operating system,applications programs and data are stored in non-volatile memory andloaded into processor memory, usually DRAM, as needed. All such computercomponents, and other associated components that may be optionally used,are well known to those of skill in the art and will not be furtherdescribed here.

The connection 915 between computer subsystem 920 and video display 910may be, but not limited to, VGA, DVI, HDMI, component video, orless-preferably S-video or composite video.

Another benefit of using a personal computer for video rendering is thatmost such computers include powerful capabilities for creating andstoring audio waveforms. Connection 925 takes the output from computersubsystem 820 audio output to an audio amplifier 930. Connection 925 maybe analog or digital audio signals such as optical TOSLINK or coaxialSPDIF, or other such cable for carrying monophonic, stereo, or surroundsound information.

Audio amplifier 930 may be analog amplification sufficient to drive thechosen speaker or speakers 950. For example, the audio amplifier couldbe a two channel 50 watts RMS per channel amplifier as is readilyavailable from many well-known sources. Alternately, the audio amplifier930 could contain an audio processor for processing surround soundinformation from either the analog inputs or from digital inputs.

Speaker 950 may be a single speaker or a pair of speakers for stereosound. Alternately, speaker 950 could be a set of speakers to implementsurround sound in 5 or 7 channels, or other configuration. Each speakerchannel may include a simple single cone speaker or an array of speakersfor desired sound dispersion and/or improved frequency response.Subwoofers could be included for enhanced low frequency response.

Computer subsystem 920 connects to controller 830 via connection 835.Personal computers today typically include RS232, Ethernet and USB portswith a range of optional wired or wireless ports on specially configuredcomputers or by adding an interface card to the standard personalcomputer.

FIG. 10 depicts a schematic representation of circuitry to enable amechanical wheel display for use with controller 830 of FIG. 8. Thevideo display of FIG. 9 is interchangeable in function with themechanical wheel display of FIG. 10. One of skill in the art willrecognize that these types of displays may be used together orseparately and that many other types of displays are useful with myinvention.

In FIG. 10, Microcontroller 1070 transmits and receives commands andinformation to and from controller 830 via communication interface 835.The microcomputer is connected to win indicator 1010, win proximityindicator 1020, winner identifier 1030, winner size Indicator 1040,motor encoder 1050 and motor driver 1055 through peripheral interface1060.

Win indicator 1010, win proximity indicator 1020 and wager sizeindicator 1030 are typically arrangements of illuminators such as LEDsor light bulbs. These illuminators may be changed in brightness, color,pattern or a combination thereof as required to indicate the particularfunction and create excitement in a given environment. For example, thewin proximity indicator could be shaped as thermometer 550 of FIG. 5 acrown of lights 620 surrounding wheel 630 as depicted in FIG. 6 orindividual illuminators arranged as 740 in FIG. 7.

Motor 1080 has the wheel indicator connected to its shaft and may be aDC motor, an AC motor, a stepper motor or other type of motor as fitsthe size and weight of the wheel and the desired control in positioningand stopping the wheel. Motor driver 1055 is used to convert signalsreceived from microcontroller 1070, via peripheral interface 1060 into aformat and capacity for driving the motor. Motor encoder 1050 providesfeedback on the motor position, allowing Microcontroller 1070 to senseexactly when to stop Motor 1080 so as to indicate the correct award onthe wheel.

Motor controls and wheels are well-known to those of skill in the art.The same technology that is useful in controlling the wheels used inInternational Game Technology's “Wheel of Fortune®” and Bally Gaming's“Monte Carlo®” may be used in my invention.

The schematic depicted in FIG. 10 is readily adaptable to controlling areel, which is simply a wheel turned on its side and with award valuesdisposed on its circumference, much like a slot machine reel. A paylineon the front of the reel housing indicates the winning mystery bonusamount, much like a payline on a slot machine indicates the payingsymbols.

Controller 1030 may also be implemented using a personal computer orother suitable electronic control mechanism, a wide variety of which arewell-known to those of skill in the art.

I have described above specific implementations of my invention only asexamples of how implementation may be accomplished. It will be clear toone of skill in the art that my invention may be embodied in the mannerdescribed or in a range of other expressions.

1. A method of conducting a game of chance comprising: identifying atleast two of a plurality of player awards; selecting one of theidentified player awards; identifying one of a plurality of players toreceive the selected player award; and identifying the selected playeraward.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying one of a pluralityof players to receive the selected player award occurs beforeidentifying the selected player award.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinidentifying the selected player award occurs before identifying one of aplurality of players to receive the selected player award.
 4. The methodof claim 1 wherein identifying the selected player award occurssubstantially simultaneously with identifying one of a plurality ofplayers to receive the selected player award.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the player awards comprise bonus awards and wherein the methodfurther comprises identifying at least one award resulting from a basegame pay table.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the player awardscomprise progressive awards.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein theprogressive awards accumulate in separate pools from which an award ismade.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the player awardscomprises a mystery award.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein identifyingat least two of a plurality of player awards comprises displaying theidentified awards on a rotatable wheel.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein identifying the selected player award comprises stoppingrelative movement of a pointer and the wheel.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein identifying the selected player award comprises controlling alight adjacent the selected player award.
 12. The method of claim 1wherein at least one of the identified awards comprises a mystery award.13. A method of conducting a game of chance comprising: displaying atleast two of a plurality of mystery bonus awards; identifying one of aplurality of players of a base game to receive one of the mystery bonusawards; and thereafter identifying which of the mystery bonus awards theplayer will receive.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the methodfurther comprises providing the identified mystery bonus award to theplayer.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the method further comprisesproviding at least one award resulting from a base game pay table. 16.The method of claim 13 wherein the mystery bonus awards compriseprogressive awards.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the progressiveawards accumulate in separate pools from which an award is made.
 18. Themethod of claim 13 wherein displaying at least two of a plurality ofmystery bonus awards comprises displaying awards on a rotatable wheel.19. The method of claim 18 wherein identifying which of the mysterybonus awards the player will receive comprises stopping relativemovement of a pointer and the wheel.
 20. The method of claim 13 whereinidentifying which of the mystery bonus awards the player will receivecomprises controlling a light adjacent a display of the identifiedmystery bonus award.
 21. A method of conducting a game of chancecomprising: displaying at least two of a plurality of mystery bonusawards; identifying which of the mystery bonus awards one of a pluralityof players of a base game will receive; and thereafter identifying theplayer to receive the identified mystery bonus award.
 22. The method ofclaim 21 wherein the method further comprises providing the identifiedmystery bonus award to the identified player.
 23. The method of claim 21wherein the method further comprises providing at least one awardresulting from a base game pay table.
 24. The method of claim 21 whereinthe mystery bonus awards comprise progressive awards.
 25. The method ofclaim 24 wherein the progressive awards accumulate in separate poolsfrom which an award is made.
 26. The method of claim 21 whereindisplaying at least two of a plurality of mystery bonus awards comprisesdisplaying awards on a rotatable wheel.
 27. The method of claim 26wherein identifying which of the mystery bonus awards one of a pluralityof players of a base game will receive comprises stopping relativemovement of a pointer and the wheel.
 28. The method of claim 21 whereinidentifying which of the mystery bonus awards one of a plurality ofplayers of a base game will receive comprises controlling a lightadjacent a display of the mystery bonus award.
 29. A gaming systemcomprising: an award mechanism configured to award a winning one of atleast two awards; a mechanism configured to identify one of at least twodisplayed awards as a winning award; and an indicator configured toindicate a winner of the winning award at a time different from when thewinning award is identified.
 30. The gaming system of claim 29 whereinthe awards comprise bonus awards and wherein the system furthercomprises at least one base game.
 31. The gaming system of claim 29wherein at least one of the awards comprises a mystery award.
 32. Thegaming system of claim 29 wherein the mechanism configured to identifyone of at least two displayed awards as a winning award comprises arotatable wheel having at least two segments that correspond to theawards.
 33. The gaming system of claim 32 wherein the mechanismconfigured to identify one of at least two displayed awards as a winningaward further comprises a pointer that is movable relative to the wheel.34. The gaming system of claim 29 wherein the indicator configured toindicate a winner of the winning award comprises a display.
 35. Thegaming system of claim 29 wherein the time different from when thewinning award is identified occurs before the winning award isidentified.
 36. The gaming system of claim 29 wherein the time differentfrom when the winning award is identified occurs after the winning awardis identified.